Chapter 20: The First Halloween Part 2
The group moved down the neighborhood street, accumulating candy from every new house. Some neighborhoods went all-out with the decorations, especially the richer homes. They saw jack-o'-lanterns of every shape and size. While there were the classical silly smiles, there were even beautiful designs that used the inner husk's transparency to give the image a sort of shading.
"Dude, check this one out!" Tucker pointed to a house with a fully decorated graveyard on its front lawn. A sign said, "HAUNTED HOUSE!" The actual house was covered in cobwebs and fake spiders. Smoke machines and curtains concealed the bedrooms' windows. The window ledges even had plastic gargoyles.
Shadows of "ghosts" floated across the lawn, eerie sounds played from hidden speakers, and fog machines pumped thick, rolling mist across the path.
They could hear the speakers playing icon sound effects and the cackling of a witch. A skeleton sat on a rocking chair by the door, creaking back and forth.
They all heard the screams of children from the back of the house as they ran back to the sidewalk on the other side.
"This is legit!" Tucker grinned, darting forward to be the first in line.
"That's not creepy at all…" Danny grinned, nudging Octavia forward.
Twisted vines and flickering lights decorated the pathway leading to a doorway draped in cobwebs. An eerie fog spilled out from beneath the door.
The group stepped up to the entrance, and a voice came from the skeleton. It's jaw moved along. "Welcome to the Manchester Manor! Endure the curse of the home and be rewarded at the end!"
Tucker smiled. "Loving the special effects so far."
"Let's do it!"
They rang the doorbell, and it creaked open with a chilling groan. The floorboards creaked beneath them.
Danny turned to Tucker. "Ready to see who jumps first?"
Tucker scoffed, though his voice was a little shaky. "Please, this is nothing. I watch horror movies all the time."
Octavia unconsciously latched onto her father's hand.
Meanwhile, Stolas's heart warmed at the act.
The door creaked shut behind them as they stepped inside. The room immediately darkened. Alight shined and showed a ghostly bride hovering at the room's far end. She had sunken eyes and contours that emphasized the shape of her skull. She let out a slow, chilling moan that sent a shiver down the children's spines.
"Alright, that's pretty good," Danny admitted, a nervous laugh slipping out.
Suddenly, a pair of skeletal hands shot out from a hidden panel in the wall, reaching right for Tucker. He yelped and stumbled back, bumping into Danny.
"Not scared, huh?" Danny teased.
Tucker scowled, a bit rattled. "It was just... !"
Despite Octavia's grip tightening, she had a sense of excitement. "They really put effort into this."
Stolas's gaze lingered on a particularly detailed vampire statue. "Though it lacks the... authenticity I'm used to."
They moved further into the haunted house, winding through rooms filled with more creepy props: a mummy springing to life from a sarcophagus, a werewolf snarling from the shadows, and a disembodied voice whispering from the dark corners. Each scare made Tucker jump or shiver, though he tried his best to play it off.
In one hallway, a fog machine created a thick, eerie mist that made it difficult to see where they were going. Out of nowhere, a costumed figure in a black cloak and a skeleton mask jumped out from a hidden corner, raising his scythe high. Tucker and Danny both yelped while Octavia smirked, unfazed.
Danny laughed nervously. "Okay, that one was actually kind of creepy."
The group continued through the darkened corridors and reached the final room. The dining room was dimly lit, and the table was set for a ghostly feast. A man in a butler outfit stood by the covered table tray. As they walked next to the man, he began to lift the cover. "Dinner is served."
He revealed a head on the table whose eyes moved to them. "Looks like dessert just arrived. Hahhahahah!"
The kids were starting to slow down, so Stolas started ushering them to the next hallway. It was almost over. Just as they were about to cross a decorated archway, a ghastly face appeared in the mirror by the exit, letting out a banshee-like scream. Tucker yelled and practically pushed everyone out of the room and into the backyard.
Outside, the tension melted away as they caught their breath.
There, a man dressed in a classic vampire costume stood by the gate, leaning casually against a fog-shrouded fence. With a warm smile, he straightened up as the group approached.
"Well, well, looks like you brave souls made it through," he said with a chuckle, his fake fangs glinting under the dim porch light.
"Not bad!" Danny said, grinning at the haunted house. "Definitely better than last year."
Stolas chuckled, raising an amused brow at Tucker, who was still looking over his shoulder as if he expected another jump scare. "You know how to entertain."
Octavia nodded, smiling. "I'll admit, that was more fun than I expected."
"Fun?" Tucker muttered, still a little pale. "Yeah, let's... let's call it that."
The man reached into a cauldron filled with candy and held it out to each of them. "Take a handful— you've earned it! Happy Halloween!"
"Thanks!" Octavia replied, clutching her growing bag of candy with an excited smile.
"Thank you!" Danny grinned, grabbing a small pile of candy bars. Still a little shaky, Tucker managed to grin as he took some candy. Octavia and Stolas each took a piece, nodding in thanks as the man gave them a friendly nod.
"Enjoy the rest of your night, and stay safe out there!" he called as they turned to leave, his voice echoing with a mix of amusement and mischief.
Just as they stepped into the yard, the fog around them thickened, and a loud mechanical shriek suddenly echoed from behind. A motion-sensor skeleton popped out of the bushes, its bony fingers reaching toward them as its eyes flashed a sinister red.
"AAAAH!" Tucker yelped, leaping back and bolting toward the street.
Octavia did the same, grabbing Danny and dragging him along with her.
Stolas picked up his pace, letting out a low chuckle as he jogged after them.
They didn't stop until they reached the sidewalk, all of them catching their breath as laughter bubbled up.
"I did not see that one coming," Danny admitted.
Tucker gave a mock glare toward the haunted house, clutching his candy protectively. "That was so not fair! They got us when we were already out!"
Octavia smirked, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "To be fair, a haunted house should include the entire home, including the backyard. I think that made it even better."
Stolas fixed his cloak. "Oh, how I wish I had come to one when I was younger."
Tucker chuckled. "You're really getting the full Halloween experience tonight, Via!"
Octavia's eyes sparkled with thrill. "Why do people do this just for one night? I'd want this all year!"
"That's the magic of Halloween," Danny said, holding out his bag as they moved to the next house. "Still think Halloween's not a big deal?"
She laughed. "I think I'm sold."
#
At one house, an elderly woman answered the door smiling and held out a bowl. She smiled at the trio and handed them each a small box. But instead of candy, they each received a small box of raisins. "Here you go, dearies. They're good for you."
The four stared at their new "treats" in mild disbelief.
Danny's face fell slightly. "Right… Thank you."
Stolas, however, was less forgiving. He looked at the woman with stern disapproval, "There's a special place in Hell for people like you."
Tucker nodded, raising a fist in agreement. "Yeah! Raisins? Seriously?"
The woman's smile fell. "Ungrateful kids..." She quickly closed the door.
Danny and Octavia couldn't help but frown at them. "Did you have to scare her like that?"
Stolas smirked, his stern expression softening as he patted Danny on the shoulder. "Sometimes, people need a little reminder to treat others kindly. Besides, raisins on Halloween? That's just cruel."
"I mean, really," Stolas continued, shaking his head. "Raisins are hardly a proper offering for such an occasion."
"You're right about that," Danny said, still chuckling. "But hey, look on the bright side—at least we've got plenty of other houses to hit tonight. Let's just make sure we avoid another 'Raisin Lady' next time."
Octavia grinned, nudging Danny's shoulder. "Lead the way, oh wise witch."
#
As Danny, Tucker, Octavia, and Stolas moved along the sidewalk, laughter and shouts of other trick-or-treaters filled the air. They were headed toward a house when suddenly a loud snap sounded behind them.
Before they could react, a splash of water came out of nowhere, drenching Danny and Tucker in icy-cold liquid.
Then, something cold and slimy splattered across the back of their heads.
The two sputtered, looking around in shock as laughter erupted nearby. Dash Baxter and his gang stood nearby, holding empty buckets and egg cartons. Laughter rang out. Some of the nearby trick-or-treaters joined in as well.
"Aw, looks like you guys needed a little bath!" Dash sneered. "And here I thought you guys were going as witches, not wet cats."
"What the—?"
Tucker's jaw dropped, and Octavia's eyes narrowed.
Stolas immediately got between the two of them. "What is the meaning of this!"
Dash and their friends quickly held up their hands in a placating gesture. "Relax, old man, it was just a harmless prank."
Stolas huffed indignation. "Who are you calling old?! Besides that, you ruffian better apologize for ruining our night."
Dash stuck his tongue out at him. "Psh... As if. You're not my dad. You can't tell me what to do."
Stolas squezzed his hand. He so desperately wanted to cast a spell on these brats. Looking to the side, he could see a few parents whispering about the situation yet doing nothing to chastise the aggressors.
Danny shook his hands out, water dripping down his sleeves. His face turned red with frustration and embarrassment. "Come on! Can't you find something better to do?"
"Yeah. You suck! Mind your own business," spat Tucker."
Dash crossed his arms. "Why would I? You two make it too easy! You guys are just a couple of freaks and geeks." He smirked, glancing over at Octavia. "Let me guess. She's just as weird if she's hanging out with you."
Stolas could feel his eyes glowing red. These ingrates had the nerve to insult his daughter. He stepped forward, but Danny was the one to get up in Dash's face.
"You can say and do whatever you want to me, but don't you dare bring her into this." Danny clenched his jaw, trying to hold back his frustration.
Stolas separated the boys. "I suggest you and your little gang leave."
"Why should I?"
The Goetia's shadow seemed to stretch. "NOW!"
"Pfff." Dash shrugged, hiding the fear. "Whatever. I'm just keeping Halloween fun. Maybe you losers should stay home next year." With that, Dash and his friends took off, laughing as they ran down the street, toilet paper trailing from their backpacks.
Stolas quickly ushered the children away from prying eyes and to get them cleaned up.
Octavia pulled him into a hug, not caring about the wetness. "Danny... It's alright..."
"No, it's not alright." He pushed her away slightly. "This was supposed to be your first Halloween, and because of me, Dash ruined it."
Octavia glanced at him, confused. "Dash?"
"He's just a bully from school," Danny muttered bitterly.
Tucker nodded. "He's been messing with us since forever."
"Yeah," Danny admitted quietly. "I'm the 'freaky kid with weird ghost-hunter parents.'"
Tucker, fists clenched. "Buncha jerks." He didn't question when Stolas pulled a pair of towels from under his cloak and handed them to the boys.
Octavia's eyes narrowed, but she held her tongue, glancing at Danny with concern.
Stolas, however, fixed his gaze on the retreating crew.
With one last taunting laugh, Dash and his friends tossed their empty bucket aside and disappeared around the corner, still laughing over their prank.
Danny forced a small smile, but Octavia wasn't fooled. "Let's just keep going."
But as the group started walking again, Octavia shot a look at her father. Stolas returned it, his expression calm but filled with intent. There was no need for words.
Father and daughter shared a silent agreement: Before this night ended, Dash Baxter and his cronies would know what it felt like to be haunted by something far worse than eggs and toilet paper.
#
AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Charles, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, SonicSonicsSonic, Dragon lord, Shooter1344, Alexander, Red Rasher, Ajax Roranson, trey, Asaf, Legion, DJC, $hane-08, Daniel, Alex, nighnight, Camden, decimator, Roswell, SpeX Smoking_ash12, Giorgie Baramidze, Kyan Christian!
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